The set-up: The Chicago White Sox jumped out to an early lead in the AL Central but that's a thing of the past these days, as they check in at 54-60 as they open a three-game interleague series in Miami. While the White Sox have fallen well off the pace in the AL Central and find themselves 7 1/2 games back in the wild card race, the 60-54 Marlins (60-54) own a half-game lead over the Cards for the NL's second wild card spot. Word is that the Marlins a very serious about chasing down a playoff spot and reportedly have had internal discussions about pushing all their chips to the center of the table in a bid to sign veteran Alex Rodriguez, who will be released by the New York Yankees on Friday. Then again, would that be a good thing?

The pitching matchup: Carlos Rodon (2-8, 4.49 ERA) will get the ball for the White Sox and the newly-acquired Andrew Cashner (4-8, 4.96 ERA) gets the nod for the Marlins. Rodon made his major league debut last year, going an impressive 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA. However, he's suffered from the proverbial "sophomore jinx" in 2016. His season has been interrupted by a July 9th stint on the DL due to a sprained wrist, not returning until July 31. The White Sox are 6-12 in all of his starts and he has not
won a road game since April 13. Cashner made a brief appearance by facing one batter in Miami's 14-inning game versus San Francisco on Monday, which was just two days removed from a brutal outing in Colorado. While making just his second start since being acquired from San Diego, he allowed seven runs on eight hits in only five innings of a 12-6 loss to the Rockies.

The pick: Rodon's home town is Miami but as noted, he's been awful on the road, as the White Sox are a woeful 1-7 in his eight road starts in 2016. No reason for that to improve here against a Miami team right in the hunt for a playoff berth. Cashner is a much better pitcher than he's shown in 2016 and he just may help the Marlins to the team's first playoff berth since winning the World Series back in 2003. 10* play on Miami.